Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, who took the initiative to propose the vote of no confidence motion against former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, is reportedly emerging as a strong candidate for the position of Tonga’s next Prime Minister.
All 26 MPs will meet on Christmas Eve to select the Kingdom’s new prime minister.
It follows Hon Hu’akavameiliku’s recent resignation ahead of a second vote of no confidence motion against him.
The constitution stipulates that the Lord Speaker will issue letters to MPs calling for their nominations for leader.
The nominations must be submitted by 23 December, and the election of the prime minister will be conducted by secret ballot on Christmas Eve.
However, people close to the MPs claimed that Dr Eke had strong support from the nine nobles and all the MPs who signed the vote of confidence motion against former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku.
A source said Dr Eke “is doing very well and his support is strong and deep”.
The people’s elected MPs had been approached by Kaniva News about their preferred candidates.
Their liaison officer, MP Dr Taniela Fusimālohi, responded in Tongan that “it is left for the Speaker to make it public when the time is right, which is 24 December”.
Other sources said Cabinet ministers from Hu‘akavameiliku’s government, who were apparently unhappy with the vote of no confidence motion, could likely nominate a candidate.
However, the sources said they did not have the number, the same situation that led to Hu‘akavameiliku choosing to resign ahead of his vote of no confidence instead of facing the potential loss.
Before Hu’akavameiliku quit, he had nine MPs who could support him after his Minister for Lands and Survey, Lord Tu’i’afitu, resigned last month. Of the nine remaining members, four were People’s Members of Parliament (PMPs), including the Prime Minister, two were Nobles’ Members of Parliament (NMPs), and three were Non-Elected Members of Parliament who could not vote on the VONC, according to the constitution. The two remaining nobles resigned after Hu’akavameiliku’s resignation, reducing the number of supporters for Hu’akavameiliku to only four.
This means a new PM candidate from Hu’akavameiliku’s supporters needed 10 more MPs to win. He could count on five MPs who supported Hu’akavameiliku – Tevita Puloka, Dulcie Tei, Sione Taione, Veivosa Taka and Mo’ale ‘Otunuku – and possibly two NRs who have often sided with Hu’akavameiliku, Lord Tuiha’angana and Lord Fakafanua.
On the other hand, Dr Eke reportedly said he was confident he had the number after submitting the vote of no confidence last month.
He had the seven PMP signatories, who were Dr Langi Fasi, Mateni Tapueleuelu, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, Piveni Piukala, Kapeli Lanumata, Mo’ale Finau and Vatau Hui. They were also guaranteed the vote of Dr Tanieta Fusmalohi, who was still returning from overseas. So they secured eight guaranteed votes in addition to the seven members of nobility MPs, totalling 15 votes—sufficient to ensure a clear victory.
